This article had been printed originally on May 2,1870 in a temperance newspaper called "The Trumpet" which was published in Sydney. This is the exact reprint. (PANS #1254)

Richmond 1870
L'ARDOISE 50 YEARS AGO: DE FACTO

I was acquainted with the above settlement about the time stated. The inhabitants were poor. Their precarious mode of life (fishing) affording little comfort, not even the necessities of life. Not a store in the settlement to supply their wants, having to travel near impassable roads, some 8 or 10 miles to obtain even a little meal or flour. Spiritual wants were all but neglected until visited by the Venerable BISHOP MCEACHERN. The place of worship was incommodious. The pastor and his flock were comparative strangers to each other. The Priest's residence was neither air tight or water tight. The health of several clergymen succumbed to these privations. There was no chance of a "backwoods" man receiving a letter as there was no Post or Way Officer nearer than Arichat, a distance of over forty miles. Letters were either returned to Halifax "not called for" or sent by a chance friend. L'Ardoise as it is now in 1870, has a good line of roads through the settlement on towards the most south eastern part of Cape Breton, with a branch midway to Grand River, settled by a hardy race of industrious Scotsmen. Now there is a Post Office at St. Peters and Way Officers along the whole line. A courier travels the road, once a week, where every accommodation is afforded by the Post Master, R.G. MORRISON, ESQ.

L'Ardoise can now boast of a Catholic Church with a comfortable residence near by for the parish clergyman and occupied for many years by the REVEREND MR. CORTEAU, who succeeded his successor on his removal to Cheticamp. REV. CORTEAU died about a year ago. The present encumbent is a nephew of the REV. JAMES QUINNAN, our esteemed townsman.

Within a short distance of the Priest's residence is the establishment of BR. NEIL SHAW, extensively engaged in the fisheries. MR. D. MATHESON has a like establishment and follows the same pursuit. Farther east is the neat and handsome residence of BR. JOSEPH MATHESON.

Several comfortable houses have been built by the Franch throughout the settlement. The late LAWRENCE DEVEREAUX, ESQ. had a large fishing establishment in the vicinity of St. Peter's Island. The late ARTHER BRYMER, ESQ., did considerable business in the trace of the settlement. (2 May)